Don’t Let Your Rewards Go To Waste: How To Keep Your Points From Expiring

Don't Let Your Rewards Go To Waste: How To Keep Your Points From Expiring - Take Inventory of Your Points Stash

Taking a thorough inventory of your various points and miles balances should be one of the first steps for any savvy rewards traveler. After all, you can't use what you don't know you have. Setting aside some time to log in to all your frequent flyer, hotel loyalty and credit card accounts allows you to see your full arsenal of points and miles at a glance.

This exercise often reveals surprises - a stash of miles you forgot you had, points that are dangerously close to expiration, or balances with one program that can be transferred to partners for better value. Even if you think you have a good handle on your points, it never hurts to double check. Things fall through the cracks.
- The program associated with each balance (i.e United MileagePlus, American AAdvantage, etc)
- The exact number of points or miles
- The expiration date of the points, if applicable

Some balances won't have a hard expiration date but will still expire after a period of inactivity. Make notes about these dormancy expiration policies so you can keep your points active.
Additionally, take stock of welcome bonuses you're currently working toward with new credit card or program signups. Note the minimum spending requirements you need to meet and the deadline to meet them.

Maintaining an up-to-date spreadsheet is invaluable for keeping track of all your points and miles. It allows you to monitor balances and spot opportunities to earn and burn. Set a reminder to conduct a thorough points audit every 6 months or so. This will ensure you always know what you're working with, maximizing your rewards.

What else is in this post?

1. Don't Let Your Rewards Go To Waste: How To Keep Your Points From Expiring - Take Inventory of Your Points Stash
2. Don't Let Your Rewards Go To Waste: How To Keep Your Points From Expiring - Set Reminders for Looming Expiration Dates
3. Don't Let Your Rewards Go To Waste: How To Keep Your Points From Expiring - Fun Ways to Use Small Balances
4. Don't Let Your Rewards Go To Waste: How To Keep Your Points From Expiring - Splurge on Dream Experiences
5. Don't Let Your Rewards Go To Waste: How To Keep Your Points From Expiring - Transfer Points to Extend Validity
6. Don't Let Your Rewards Go To Waste: How To Keep Your Points From Expiring - Book Quick Getaways to Use Miles

Don't Let Your Rewards Go To Waste: How To Keep Your Points From Expiring - Set Reminders for Looming Expiration Dates

Nothing stings quite like losing hard-earned points and miles to expiration. As tempting as it may be to set them out of sight and out of mind, keeping tabs on expiration dates is critical. The last thing you want is a rude awakening when you go to book an award only to find your miles have vanished into the ether.

Setting calendar reminders is an easy and foolproof way to get ahead of looming expiration dates. Both Google Calendar and iOS Calendar allow you to set custom alerts, so you can choose the timeframe that works best. Personally, I set reminders at the 6 month, 3 month and 1 month mark before any balances expire. This gives me plenty of time to take action without cutting it too close.

For date-based programs like Southwest Rapid Rewards, where your points expire on your membership anniversary date, log this date in your calendar and set repeating yearly reminders. For programs with rolling expiration policies, like American AAdvantage miles expiring 18 months after your last account activity, set your reminders based on your estimate of when you’ll hit that 18 month mark.

When the reminder pops up, you’ll know it’s time to check that program’s balance and make a plan to keep your points or miles active. This can be as simple as doing an online shopping portal purchase to earn a few bonus miles. For larger stashes, you may want to book an award ticket instead.

Don't Let Your Rewards Go To Waste: How To Keep Your Points From Expiring - Fun Ways to Use Small Balances

Many travelers accumulate a motley assortment of small points and miles balances across various programs. While a few hundred points here and a couple thousand miles there may not seem significant, these tidbits can add up. Getting creative with how you use small balances provides opportunities for fun experiences and helps keep your points active.
One enjoyable way to put dribs and drabs of points to use is indulging in airport lounge access. Programs like Priority Pass offer day passes you can purchase with points that grant entry to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. Prices vary by lounge but start around $27, so you may be able to snag a few visits with just a couple thousand points. Lounges allow you to escape the airport madness, offering comfy seats, free food and drinks, wifi, showers and more.

Small balances can also score you bonus perks with hotel stays, like suite upgrades and resort credits you can use for dining, spa treatments or other amenities. For example, just a few thousand Hilton Honors points can get you bumped to a spacious junior suite. World of Hyatt has features like room upgrades starting at 2,500 points per night and $100 resort credits for 5,000 points.

Another approach is pooling points from various programs to book activities and excursions through online travel agencies. You’d be surprised how many fun experiences you can afford by piecing together relatively small amounts of points across accounts. Websites like Go Ahead Tours and GetYourGuide offer everything from walking tours to hot air balloon rides that only require 1,000 - 5,000 points.

Donating miles is also an option if you want your small balances to make an impact. Through programs like Miles4Migrants and Points of Light, you can give miles and points to help groups in need, like refugees. Often you can donate as little as 500 airline miles, 1,000 hotel points or a few thousand credit card points to cover evacuation flights, temporary shelter or other essentials.

Don't Let Your Rewards Go To Waste: How To Keep Your Points From Expiring - Splurge on Dream Experiences

Though small points balances can provide quick hits of travel joy, sometimes the greatest thrill comes from saving up over months or years and splurging on a truly unforgettable dream experience. We’re talking lavish international first class flights, overwater bungalow vacations, African safaris—the stuff bucket lists are made of.

Trust me, I once spent 18 months pooling points across four different programs just to afford a single Cathay Pacific first class flight from New York to Hong Kong. Was it worth it? Absolutely. From the moment I settled into the private suite with closing doors, past the multi-course caviar and champagne-fueled dining experience, to landing refreshed and renewed across the world, it exceeded every expectation.

Some questioned if it was foolish to blow so many hard-earned points on a single flight. But I’ve found memories from epic dream experiences like that Cathay first class trip bring me joy for years, while an extra domestic economy flight or two would fade into the ether.
Spending hours upon hours researching the most aspirational redemptions is a hobby unto itself for many avid miles and points enthusiasts. When mastering programs across multiple airlines and hotels, you’d be amazed by the incredible experiences within reach. One of my friends once managed to book a multi-week trip to the Maldives, with both flights and overwater villa stays covered by points and miles. That’s the type of skill and dedication this hobby rewards.
Of course, keeps your expectations realistic—securing coveted first class award seats takes flexibility, luck and perfect timing. Prioritize dreaming big, but have backup options that still get you excited. Maybe your lifelong dream is flying first class on the Etihad Apartments, but you’d also love to experience the privacy of a JetBlue Mint Suite.

Don't Let Your Rewards Go To Waste: How To Keep Your Points From Expiring - Transfer Points to Extend Validity

Transferring points between loyalty programs is one of the most powerful techniques for extending validity. While every program has their own complex rules, certain transfer partners allow you to essentially “reset the clock” on expiration timelines. This loophole has saved millions of travelers’ points from disappearing into oblivion.

Let’s take American AAdvantage miles as an example. AAdvantage miles expire 18 months from the last account activity. However, you can transfer AAdvantage miles to over 20 different airline partners, like British Airways Executive Club and Qatar Airways Privilege Club. The miles transfer instantly, and then take on the expiration policy of the new program. In British Airways case, that means points won’t expire as long as you have any account activity in a 36 month period. Boom - you just gave your miles an extra 18 months of life.
The same concept applies across many other transfer partners like hotel programs. Hilton Honors points normally expire after just 12 months of no activity. But transfer Honors points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and they'll now expire after 36 months of inactivity instead. Marriott Bonvoy points usually expire after 24 months - move them to Emirates Skywards miles instead for a 36 month expiration. The options are endless.

Of course, you do need to research if transfers reset validity for each specific program. In some cases they do not - like American Express Membership Rewards transfers. The miles adopt the new expiration policy upon transfer, but your “membership year” for expiration stays the same. So this is not a silver bullet every time. But when it works, it’s invaluable.
The key is looking for transfer partners with: a) more generous expiration terms than your current program, and b) immediate 1:1 point transfers. Then, about a month before your points expire, transfer them over. Though not a complete long-term solution, it buys you more time to use them on a redemption you’ll love.

Don't Let Your Rewards Go To Waste: How To Keep Your Points From Expiring - Book Quick Getaways to Use Miles

With hectic schedules, long work hours, and countless responsibilities, it can be tough to carve out time for that dream vacation abroad. But quick weekend getaways allow you to jetset on a whim and take a much-needed break from daily life. The best part? Weekend trips are prime opportunities to put miles and points to use before they expire.

Postponing redemption plans because you’re waiting for the perfect 2-week escape is one of the easiest ways miles go to waste. But even if you only have 24-48 hours of free time, a quick jaunt to an exciting destination can reenergize your soul.
Jake still remembers his impromptu weekend in Austin, exploring the live music scene, bar-hopping on Rainey Street and indulging in mouthwatering Texas barbecue. It was a short trip, but the change of scenery from his Chicago routine did wonders. He booked a cheap positioning flight using Southwest miles, then scored a luxury hotel stay with Hilton free weekend night certificates.

Opportunities abound in cities across the U.S. and Canada thanks to budget airlines like Southwest, JetBlue and Frontier. Of course, you can maximize a quick getaway even more by flying international business class using miles. I was able to experience Lufthansa’s lie-flat seats on the 747 upper deck thanks to a mileage run to Munich one weekend. A relaxing onboard pampering before strolling the Marienplatz and sampling pretzels and beer created memories I still cherish.
With some spontaneity and flexibility, you can take these quick trips for mere pocket change by using points and miles for flights and hotels. I often check last-minute IHG PointBreaks options, which offer luxury hotels for just 5,000-15,000 points per night. Signing up for Hotwire or Priceline “mystery” deals can land you 4-star hotels in big cities for less than $100. Taking advantage of sales on Southwest, Spirit or Frontier flights allow you to jet to cities like Denver or Miami for under 10,000 points round-trip.